Elm for double tree?

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  • January 2, 2017 at 10:09 pm #89879
    JaredWoodcock
    Participant

    I am hoping to build a new wooden double tree and the only dry hardwood that I have is an elm. Any reason why this wont make a strong double tree? It is strong in pole form but Im not sure how it holds up once I cut it down flat and drill some holes?

    Thanks

    January 3, 2017 at 6:51 am #89880
    Donn Hewes
    Keymaster

    It seems like a good wood to me. Will you cover the center hole with small metal plates? On the ends you can use plates or metal straping?

    January 3, 2017 at 2:03 pm #89881
    JaredWoodcock
    Participant

    I was going to use plates in the center and through bolts on the ends to reduce splitting, Basically I am pulling the hardware off of my “store bought” evener and putting it on a homemade wider version.

    January 4, 2017 at 11:38 am #89885
    Jay
    Participant

    I have no idea how well elm holds up when wet. It is great as I understand it for not splitting- it’s almost impossible to split for firewood. Used to be used for wheel hubs.

    January 4, 2017 at 8:06 pm #89887
    Crabapple Farm
    Participant

    Because of the cross grain, elm resists splitting very well. However, it can twist and warp quite a bit with moisture changes – probably not a problem in this instance. If it stays wet, it holds up very well – some of Venice is built on Elm pilings (under salt water). But in an equipment-that-lives-outside setting, expect it to lose strength relatively quickly. Freshly dead elm doesn’t split, but if it’s dead for over a year it splits much easier. Standing dead elms start having branches snap and drop after 18 months or so (we’ve got a lot of dead elm around here from Dutch elm disease), so I wouldn’t trust a double tree that had been living outside for much more than that, unless well oiled or painted.

    January 4, 2017 at 8:58 pm #89888
    JaredWoodcock
    Participant

    I was thinking the same thing about the lack of rot resistance because of my experience with the dead trees around. It is all I have dry for now so I will give it a try and oil it up.

    Thanks

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